posted 2/22/2012 1:39:33 PM I need to find out if Jack Lee, the C.O. of the 23rd's Co. B, was equipped with a M4A3 (76mm) Shermans and, if so, if there is any kind of official after-action report (not unit history) for its loss on May 5, 1945.

MikeWoldenbergJunior MemberMember # 16

Posts: 937From: University at Buffalo (NY)Registered: 6/1/2004

posted 2/24/2012 3:01:41 PM Hi Steve, On a hunch, I Googled:

Stephen Harding and 23d Tank Battalion.

I found your excellent article, written for the World War II Magazine (August-September, 2008) entitled The Battle for Castle Itter. I have readat least one other account of this action, and yours is the most complete and the best.

I note that you reference a Saturday Evening Post article written by Meyer Levin in July, 1945. Are there other references that you used?

I looked at the History of the 23d Tank Battalion on thiswebsite. There is a picture of a tank on page (68?) and perhaps you can tell whether it had a 76mm gun. If it did,then it is likely that Lee had this kind of tank at Itter.If not, then it may have been earlier in the war and it wasa different model.

I suggest you contact John Critzas who was a gunner in Sherman (from the 714th Tank Battalion). He could makean informed guess as to what kind of tank Lt. Lee had.

the12tharmored@aol.com

Also, you can contact the Unit Rep to the Hellcat News.Geoff Lackey: lackeys@charter.net931 223 8554

The Unit Historian is a veteran: James Francis: 925 988 0709francis.james@comcast.net

Yours truly, Mike Woldenberg

harryJunior MemberMember # 9065

Posts: 16From: AbileneRegistered: 5/19/2012

posted 6/7/2012 4:05:44 PM DIDN'T FIND ANY DIRECT MENTION TO A LOSS OF TANK. SAID ONE OVERTURNED ON BRIDGE BUT WAS SAVED.aLL 75 AND 76MM WAS TO BE TURNED OVER TO 36TH EXCEPT 25 rounds per vehicle. Task Force Lee was mentioned but will have to keep looking for any tank he may have lost.

harryJunior MemberMember # 9065

Posts: 16From: AbileneRegistered: 5/19/2012

posted 6/7/2012 4:48:08 PM further reading found that there are three versions of what happened. His tank was hit and all eight men made it back into Castle.Interesting story! I will see what else I can find.Did look through after action reports. And read a story on history of 23rd.